The Bicycle Film Festival is in LA through Sunday. Last year this event was off the chain (some photos of that) - the best event all year. The festival opened tonight, so already all your bike friends have probably been watching awesome flicks. Get your two wheels over to the Vine Theater at 6321 Hollywood Blvd and get your movie on. And don’t miss the livest party - the B.F.F Block Party at Melrose & Heliotrope on Sunday from 12pm-8pm. Last year it ended with dancing in the streets, CRANK MOBBERY before CRANK MOB existed.
Have you heard of the International Ride Hall of Fame? No? Well, they’re a completely fictional entity which I invented because the ROB0101110TZ ride (Sara Bond’s Flickr set) was such a success. We rode all over LA, and had an awesome time. What’s more, it was a totally unique experience.
I just ran a bunch of red lights. First, I ran the light at Olympic & 4th St, directly in front of the Santa Monica Police Department.
Then I ran a light crossing Lincoln Blvd, in the middle of the on and off ramp traffic for the 10 Freeway.
Then one more a few streets later, and one more near my house.
Why? Because it was good for me. It helped me out. It made my life better. It was a selfish act.
Also, because the decrepit signals wouldn’t change for me. Every time I visit Santa Monica City Council I run the light in front of the Police Department. I wait and wait and wait before I realize that the signal is not going to change for me. Then I look around, make sure there aren’t any police about, and I run it.
Supposedly there is an element in the California Vehicle Code which allows one to run a light if it is not changing for them, after waiting a reasonable period. Me - I’m not looking to have that conversation with a cop.
Next time someone remarks on how green Santa Monica is, or how West LA is more bike friendly than some other place, you can do the polite thing and laugh in their face. But I suggest doing something aggressively non-sequitur - like spitting in your hand and then wiping it on your pants, or pulling out some papers and ripping them up. Maybe just step into traffic or try to eat your shoe. Perhaps your bizarre act will dissuade them from regurgitating regional mythology in the future.
Damien Newton (LA Streetsblog), myself, and 19 other activists hope you will join us in asking the Metro Transit Authority (MTA) for more funds for cycling and pedestrian projects. The MTA is seeking a 1/2 ยข sales tax increase to generate funds for LA County transportation projects. This generate funds to complete massive projects such as the Subway to the Sea. Surely the MTA Board can find it in their heart to spare some money for the low cost, high payoff projects which benefit cyclists.
Rosendahl’s office has cancelled the community meeting scheduled for today, Monday, about the Mandeville Canyon Assault, and cyclist/motorist tensions in the area.
I’m sorry that this happened, as I thought it would be a step in the right direction for residents and cyclists to discuss this.
****Rosendahl’s Office has cancelled this meeting****
On July 4th Stephen Box called me up and told me that two cyclists had just been assaulted by a motorist. The motorist had slammed on his brakes in front of them, intentionally, while they were descending Mandeville Canyon Rd at 30 mph. One cyclist had to have his nose reattached, Stephen told me.
I had trouble believing it, and I certainly didn’t want to. We all experience motorist aggression from time to time, but usually we ride away from it. Well, it’s all true, and LAist covered it extensively. In response, Councilman Bill Rosendahl has called a community meeting for Monday, July 14th, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in at 11338 Santa Monica Blvd.
I try to make Cub Camp as often as possible, but this Thursday I just couldn’t make it. I had a good excuse, but I’m definitely disappointed to miss Cub Camp #69. Anyhow, I thought I’d force y’all to look at some photos from last week’s Cub Camp, which was a lot of fun. (Flickr set)
In this one Jon Luskin is feeding Paul Bringetto his burrito while Paul does a trackstand. I’ve seen better trackstands and better burrito consumption in my day:
